Phra Kiao Since the establishment of the Royal Pages School, the former name of the university, King Chulalongkorn authorized the use of his personal emblem as a school emblem. The emblem is called
Phra Kiao, a Thai
coronet, royal headgear for young princes and princesses. As the school was transformed into the university, the King authorized the use of
phra kiao. Today,
phra kiao appears not only in formal letters and transcripts, but also on souvenirs made by the university as well as student uniforms.
Rain Trees Rain trees are common on the university campus. They are associated with the cycle of student life. Fresh green leaves at beginning of the term represent the freshmen's naivete. As the tree produces slimy pods and sheds leaves, the ground beneath it becomes slippery, thus alerting students to prepare for examinations. If they walk carefully, they will not slip (pass examinations). If they walk heedlessly, they will slip and fall (fail examinations). From 1937 to 1957, many rain trees were cut down to free space for new buildings.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej noticed the dramatic decrease in the number of rain trees. On 15 January 1962, he brought five trees from
Hua Hin and planted them in front of the university auditorium, proclaiming: "...I give these five trees as an eternal memorial." ().
Student uniform Undergraduates are required to wear a uniform when studying, taking examinations, or contacting the university in person. Male graduate students wear a collared or polo shirt and dark trousers. Women wear a plain blouse with long skirt. Originally, the university uniform was adapted from a uniform worn by Chulalongkorn's heirs. The uniform was later updated, but the original is reserved as a formal uniform. The formal uniform is usually worn by student leaders and graduates. Today, the ordinary uniform for male undergraduate students consists of a plain white shirt with long or short sleeves and black (or dark blue) trousers. Wearing a dark blue necktie with colored
phra kiao engraved on its front is mandatory for first-year students but optional for higher years. However, a black tie with a silver
phra kiao pin is usually used by upperclass student in some faculties. Female students are required to wear a short-sleeved blouse with a fold along the spine. The buttons must be made of metal, and a small
phra kiao emblem must be pinned on the right breast. A dark blue or black pleated skirt with any black, white, or brown shoes are worn. For female first-year students, white leather shoes are mandatory. Chulalongkorn University's uniforms have long been the template of many uniforms used in other universities in Thailand.
Academic gown The academic gown of Chulalongkorn University is based on ceremonial attire called
khrui, a gown made from very fine mesh. The robe was originally reserved for pre-ordination monks, ministers and royal family members. Like
dresses worn in the United Kingdom, the robe is open-fronted and calf-length.
Cap and
hood, however, are omitted. The gown is faced and lined with a
felt strip dyed according to the status of the wearer and decorated with gold ribbons. The elbow and wrist portion of the gown is also wrapped with the same felt strip. Bachelor's and master's gown is faced and bordered with a black felt strip, while a doctor's gown uses a
scarlet felt strip. This colour scheme is similar to one used at the
University of Oxford: Black for bachelors and masters (and doctors in undress); Scarlet for doctors (in full-dress). The cord (bachelor) or ribbon (master and doctor) dyed with the faculty colour is attached to the centre of the felt strip longitudinally. Officers' (lecturers, university council members,
vice-chancellor and
chancellor) gown is faced with a pink strip and centred with a gold thread, regardless of the faculty. The specially designed gown with a yellow facing is reserved for the king of Thailand, who is also
Visitor to the University. Vajiravudh authorized the university to use the traditional Thai gown instead of the western one, but the regulation on this matter was enacted in 1930 by Prajadhipok.
Example of felt strips File:Faculty's Felt Strip CU.svg| File:Felt Strip for Bachelor CU (Science).svg| File:Felt Strip for Doctor CU (Science).svg| File:Felt Strip for Bachelor CU (Commerce).svg| ==Organization==